Decisions

So I decided to look upon my much neglected blog this evening and realized I had a decision to make. As it has now been almost 5 months since my last post, do I pick myself up, and push myself to start blogging again? Or do I call it quits and let people watch my life through Facebook (which I never post on either, luckily, friends tag me in photos they take). Blogging used to come so easy, and even still I find myself "writing" blogs in my head while driving to and from work, but actually sitting down to type them out takes effort.

Blogging can be my relief, my place to share little stories from our family, and a place for family to see and hear our family adventures.

Blogging can also cause frustration, and an opportunity to waste time better spent elsewhere.

So my decision needs to be made, do I stay or do I go?

Caleb's !st Birthday - More pictures

Are you ready for picture overload???

Scott grilling up the food

My wonderful mother, she was an amazing help for the party!

Caleb's new found mischief

The Atkinson's with my grandmother "Mimi"

Mimi, my sis Bekah & My Daddy

The party!

Cupcake time!

Caleb wasn't quite sure what to think at first...

Maybe this thing isn't so bad...

Scott giving his mom in Idaho a play-by-play of the party

Okay, I like this thing!

Just don't try and take it away from me!

Mimi's birthday present to Caleb, a water table! It was a big hit...Until Brendan got wet and then cold.

'Pepa' with the birthday boy!

My Cousin Missy. I don't think there was much of the party when Missy or my Aunt Benita didn't have a baby in their arms. They just LOVE babies!

Mimi & Lily

Can you tell they are best friends or what?

Uncle Kevin with Caleb

See! What did I tell you.

The two of them with another baby!

Baby Nate.

Presents!

He was so proud of himself for climbing on that box!

I'm shocked there is no baby in this picture....

'Unka Jon' is by far Brendan's favorite Uncle.

Grami & her baby boy

Wow, that was a lot. But now you have the whole "picture" of what his big day was like! Surrounded by friends and family, passed from person to person, food, fun, presents & cupcakes. Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate with us and for my mom and sis for helping me put on a great party!

Caleb's Birthday Party - Part 1

I am a bad blogger. You would think that with Internet at home now, I would be better. But actually I think that since I have Internet all the time, it just lets me procrastinate longer. I will try to be better (I hear my husbands voice in my head: "'Try' is just an opportunity to allow yourself to fail") So don't be surprised if I don't get much better.

Anyway, I know I am over two months late with this post, but I do want to share with you pictures of Caleb's first birthday! I worked really hard, we actually started thinking of ideas and "planning" his party while I was still pregnant! (We as in my sister and I, Scott had very little to do with the planning of it all.

We went with the Baseball theme for Caleb's birthday. Since the party was held during Memorial Day weekend, we went with the traditional Red,White, and Blue color scheme. Very Americana, very baseball, America's past-time!

Welcome to Caleb's Birthday!

(this picture makes me think I really need to clean my black screen door...)

Cupcakes with cricut made toppers, my mom bought marshmallow baseballs on a stick for the kids. Brendan loved it, to be honest they were one of the worst things I have eaten (kid's taste buds are certainly different than adults). Bekah made strawberries dipped in white chocolate and blue sprinkles (SO good!).

Our "signature" wrapped water bottles.

Being Memorial day weekend I planned a nice afternoon BBQ on our patio expecting nice Southern California Sun. In true unpredictable So CA style, it was cool and gloomy. The sun did finally come out after a while. Checked table clothes were a nice touch, compliments of my friend Di. Red, White & Clue pennant banner made my coverless-patio-cover a little less obnoxious.

For lunch I wanted simple and easy. So with sticking with the Baseball theme, Scott grilled hot dogs, and I served Nachos in convenient nacho trays with Hot Cheese sauce and jalapenos. Just like the ball park!

Also around for snacking was peanuts, crackerjacks, watermelon and Sunflower Seeds.

Caleb's highchair was dressed for the occasion with scraps left over from my big banner. The cupcake was a big hit. (You can see him enjoying his first cake in my previous post)

Every child got to take home a baseball bat & ball. Every adult got a BabyRuth candy bar. Who do you think got the better take home...

...Caleb's choice was the baseball bats...

I'll post the rest of the pictures of family, gift opening and other fun stuff next, Just wanted you to see the party decorations and view the overview and not be overwhelmed at once! :)

What is church?

As we were driving down Arlington the other day we were pointing things out the window to Brendan. We passed by Fellowship Baptist Church. A nice A-frame church building with a steeple and and a cross. The typical church building from my childhood.

"Brendan, do you see the church?"
Brendan's response "That's not church!"
"No, not our church, but that is a church"
Indignant Brendan argued "No! It's not a church!"
With Brendan's stubborn demeanor lately, we dropped it figuring it really wasn't worth the fight.



After a long 10 hour drive later that evening, we pull off the freeway in Sacramento in an industrial area. Brendan just waking up from a late nap in the car excitedly points out the window at an industrial building and says:

"Look! A church!"

Sandals Church New Building